DEPT. Q — Season 2 (2026) continues the dark Nordic crime saga as the cold case unit in Edinburgh takes on its most disturbing investigation yet. Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), still haunted by past failures and the shooting that nearly ended his career, is assigned a decades-old disappearance involving a young prosecutor who vanished after exposing a powerful criminal network. What initially appears to be a forgotten missing-person file soon reveals a web of political corruption, organized crime, and institutional silence.
Working alongside him, Detective Merritt Lingard (Kelly Macdonald) brings emotional intelligence and sharp psychological insight to the team, often challenging Carl's abrasive methods. Rose (Chloe Pirrie), whose own mental health struggles continue to surface, plays a pivotal role in uncovering overlooked evidence hidden within archived testimonies. Meanwhile, Assad (Alexej Manvelov) proves once again that his quiet persistence and mysterious past make him indispensable when the investigation veers into dangerous territory.
As the team digs deeper, they uncover connections between the missing prosecutor and a secret rehabilitation facility that may have been a front for coercion and illegal detention. Witnesses are reluctant to speak, records have been altered, and those involved in the original case now hold influential positions. The deeper Dept. Q goes, the clearer it becomes that someone powerful has worked for years to keep the truth buried.
The season intensifies not only through its suspense but also through the characters' personal struggles. Carl confronts his growing isolation and guilt, questioning whether his obsession with justice is costing him any chance at personal peace. Merritt faces moral dilemmas about how far they can bend the law to expose corruption, while Rose's vulnerability transforms into strength as she refuses to let her past define her. Assad's backstory is explored further, hinting at experiences that shape his empathy and resilience.
In the gripping finale, long-suppressed truths finally come to light, exposing a conspiracy that shocks the public and shakes the justice system. Though the case is closed, the emotional scars remain, reminding Dept. Q that justice often arrives too late for some victims. Season 2 deepens the series' exploration of trauma, accountability, and redemption, delivering a tense and emotionally layered continuation of the acclaimed crime drama.
